This is an urgently important question raised by Pew Center for Research that predicts that over a third of the millennial generation {18 to 35 year olds} are choosing not to affiliate with the church. There is a growing conviction that unlike the boomer generation they will not return when they are married with kids.

Josh Packard in important research in his book Church Refugees reinforces the very real possibility that the church may not have a gen next future. Listen to this concerning report from Holy Soup:

“At Group’s recent Future of the Church conference, sociologist Josh Packard shared some of his groundbreaking research on the Dones. He explained these de-churched were among the most dedicated and active people in their congregations. To an increasing degree, the church is losing its best.

For the church, this phenomenon sets up a growing danger. The very people on whom a church relies for lay leadership, service and financial support, are going away. And the problem is compounded by the fact that younger people in the next generation, the Millennials, are not lining up to refill the emptying pews.

Why are the Dones done? Packard describes several factors in his upcoming book, Church Refugees (Group). Among the reasons: After sitting through countless sermons and Bible studies, they feel they’ve heard it all. One of Packard’s interviewees said, “I’m tired of being lectured to. I’m just done with having some guy tell me what to do.”

The Dones are fatigued with the Sunday routine of plop, pray and pay. They want to play. They want to participate. But they feel spurned at every turn.

Will the Dones return? Not likely, according to the research. They’re done. Packard says it would be more fruitful if churches would focus on not losing these people in the first place. Preventing an exodus is far easier than attempting to convince refugees to return.”

WHAT ARE YOUR IDEAS ABOUT NOT ONLY HOW TO SLOW THE EXODUS OF THE YOUNG…. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY HOW TO REINVENT OUR CHURCHES THEY MORE AUTHENTICALLY REFLECT THE WAY OF JESUS THE YOUNG WILL HAVE A REASON TO STAY??? SEND ME YOUR IDEAS